Should I buy a rail pass, fly, or ????
Paris-Zuerich: With advance booking at www.voyages-sncf.com, discount fares are available for the TGV leg of this route. Air Berlin is a budget airline that flies from both CDG and Orly to Zuerich.
Zuerich-Budapest: By train it's a long ride. The direct night train is the only one I'd take. Or take an Air Berlin flight.
Bamberg-Paris: The train is your best option. Although several changes are required, if you book far enough in advance at www.bahn.de, you can get a special fare of €39.
For detailed timetables of all your train routes, go to www.bahn.de. After you get summary timetables, click on "Details for all" to see the connecting points.
With budget airlines like Air Berlin, the longer you wait to book the higher the fare.
Thanks so much for the helpful info.